Ignition apparatus



July 15, 1924.

J. H. HUNT ET AL IGNITION APPARATUS Filed Nov. 18. 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet l July 15,1924. y 1,501,486

` A J. H. HUNT ET AL IGNITION APPARATUS Fil NOV- 18 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hy. E

./ HUEIY UFE July 15, 1924. l 1,501,486

J. H. HUNT ET AL IGNITION APPARATUS l Filed Nov. 18, 1920 4 sheets-sheet 5 l 1Q Dri-feg July 15, 1924. y 1,501,486

J. H, HUNT ET AL IGNITION APPARATUS med Nov. lav. 1920 4 sheets-sheet 4 IUE 555 ./IYU 27 UFE #Zi/JM Urne'/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHNH. HUNT TON ENGINEERING LA OF OHIO.

A N'D WILLIAM A. CHRYST, 0F DAYTON ,l OHIO, ASSIGNORS' TO THE DAY- BAORATORIES COMPANY,

OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION IGNITION APPARATUS.

I 7 1o all whom z't may concern.'

Be it known that we,

JOHN H. HUNT and WILLIAM' A. CHRYs'r, citizens of the United States of America, residing b county of Montgomery, and t have invented certain new and useful Imat Da ton, ateof hio,

provements in Ignition Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descri tion.

T is invention relates to ignition apparatus for interna It is one of the-objects of the invention to l-combustion engines.

provide improvements lin the ignition apparatus described a John H. Hunt, 12, 1921. In th nd claimed in the No. is application there is depatent to scribed an ignition system in which the'passage of current f rent source to the nition coil is controlled by the operation of rom a battery or othercurprimary winding of an igtwo breaker mechanisms which operate in predetermined sequence, first to connect a portion of the primary turns with the battery and then all of the primary turns with the battery and nition coil from finally to disconnect the igthe battery. As described in this application this method of controlllng the coil provides up of the coil in order for the rapidbuilding to provide a relatively rapid succession of sparking impulses, while at the same time permitting the timer contacts to be separated while not excessive. amount larly it is an ob]- prove the make a trol the coil, so

carrying an of current. More particuect of this invention to imnd break devices which conthat these devices may be operated by a single cam.

It is a further object of the invention to provlde improve msm d make and break mechawhich is capable of satisfactory operation at high s ed.

A further ob]ect of the invention is to provide an ignition ignition coil, the make and break unit which shall house the ignition distributor and the devices, and which may at the same time be conveniently taken apart and reassembled adjustments and for the purpose of making replacements.

Other and further objects ,of the present invention will be apparent from the followmg description,

accompanying dr embodiment of clearly shown.

reference being had to the awings, wherein a preferred the present invention is l1,374,205, dated April -F arrow 11 of Fig. 1.

np'pnemon ma november 1s, 1920. smal 1ro. 42am.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an ignition unit embodying the invention, partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-7-2 of Fig. l1, certain partsbeing omitted for the sake of clearness Fig. 3 is a plan view'ofthe timer housing, the distributor head being omitted;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially-on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the break levers shown in Figs. 3 and 4,'the section being taken approximately on the line 5-5 'of Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the timer controlling mechanism takenv on the line 6 6 of 1 Fig. s is a @han showin-, the relation of the open and closed perio s of the timer contacts;

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram of the present invention; v v

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a'portion of the ignition coil, theline 10-1() of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 11 is a bottom view of the coil housing cover looking in the `direction of the In the drawings, a housing 20 is divided by a plate 2l into an upper compartment 22, serving as the timer housing, and a lower compartment'23 which encloses the mechanism for controlling the timer cam and distributor. Housing 20 carries a bearin 24 in which is journalled a hollow sha 25 which terminates at its upper end in a disc 26. Disc-26 carries a plurality of pivotally mounted weight arms 27 normally maintained in their inward position shown in Fig. 6 by means ofsprings 28, each connected with disc 26 by means of stud 29 and with one of the weights 27 by means of stud 30 (see Fig. 2) passing throu h a hole in disc 26. Each weight is provided with a yoke 31 cooperating with an arm 32 eeve 33 is the section being taken on mounted for rotation about .and with a shaft 34 which is journalled within the hollow shaft 25 and within a bearing 35 carried by plate 2l. Connection between the sleeve 33 and the shaft 34 is provided4 by'a pin 36 which passes through a spiral slot 37 in the sleeve 33 and through a straight slot 38 in the shaft 34. This pin also passes diametrically across a collar 40 which slides along the sleeve 33. Collar 40 .is provided with a groove 41 into which project studs 42 carried by a yoke 43 mounted upon a shaft 44. A. lever 45 is iixed to shaft 44 and by turning this lever 45 the collar 40 may be moved along the sleeve 33 to change the relation between sleeve 33 and shaft 34. Shaft 34 carries a cam 50 and a distributor rotor 140, to be described in detail later. From the foregoing it is apparent that the timing of the ignition may be e'ected by changing the relation of the shaft 34 to the shaft 25. This is effected manually by turnin the lever 45. The automatic control is e ected by the movement of the weights 27 away Vfrom the shaft 25l as the speed of the shaft increases. This movement of the weights 25 causes the angular relation of the sleeve 33 and the shaft 25 to change. This form of ignition timing control is described and claimed in the copending application of Wil- .liam A. Chryst, Serial No. 254,175 filed September 16, 1918, and further description is considered unnecessary.

' The plate 21 carries make and break devices designated generally by numerals 51 and 52, Fig. 3. Each of these devices comprises a bracket 53 mounted upon the plate 21 but insulated therefrom by means of a non-conducting member 54. Bracket 53 carries a stationary contact 55 cooperating with a movable contact 56 mounted upon a stud 58 supported by plate 53 but insulated therefrom. A main lever 59 is mounted concentrically with respect to the lever 57 and is provided with a hook 60 curving around the free end of lever 57, and carries a rubbing block 61 which is engaged by the cam 50. Lever 59 carries a pin 62 engaged by a spring 63 secured by a bolt and nut 64, 65 to the timer cup 20. This spring normally maintains the lever 59 in the position nearest the cam 50 with the rubbing block 61 in engagement with a stop 66 projecting upwardly from the plate 53. A spring 67 engages the auxiliary lever 57 and a portion of the spring 63 which hooks around the pin 62. This spring 67 serves to maintain the hook 60 normally in engagement with the outer end of the lever 57. The hook 60 therefore limits the moving apart of the levers 57 and 59.

The parts of the make and break device 52 are the same as those of 51. The corresponding parts are designated by the same numeral but with the ax a.

Tn Fig. 7 the relation of the rubbing blocks 61 and 61iL is clearly shown. The cam 50 which revolves in the direction of arrow 50b is provided with a series of equally spaced lobes 50a. When either pair of timer Leonesa contacts 55, 56, or 55B, 56n have just closed, the rubbing blocks corresponding thereto will engage a cam lobel 50a at point 50c, and when these contacts have just separated, the rubbing block corresponding thereto will engage a cam lobe 50a at the point 50d. Tf we let the angle A represent the angular distance between cam points in the same phase of the cycle of operation 50d, and the angle B represent the angular distance between points 50 and 50d of any cam lobe, then the angle C will equal A minus angle B. lf X equals the angular distance across the face of -one of the rubbing blocks,`then the period of closure of either pair of timer contacts will equal B plus X, and the period of opening will equal C minus X. Therefore, it will be seen that in a timer device wherein the cam cooperates with a breaker mechanism to make the ignition circuit, a longer period of closure may be had for the same width of-cam lobe, than where the cam operates to break the -ignition circuit. These blocks 61 and 61a need fact from the operation standpoint, it might be better to make them of different widths.

Figs. 3 and 7 show the relation of the camxand makeand break devices at a time when the contacts 55 and 56 have just closed. The rubbing block 61 has just been engaged by one of the cam lobes 50a while the rubbing block 61a is being maintained by the spring 63EL in its position nearest the cam and in engagement with the stopv66a. The relation of the open and closed periods of contacts 55, 56 and contacts 55a, 56a, as shown in Fig. 8, follows from the relation of the blocks 61 and 61a to the cam 50. 1t will be noted that contacts 55,56 close first, then contacts 55a, 56a, close. Then, while contacts 55a, 56a, close the contacts 55, 56, open. Then, while contacts 55, 56, are open, the contacts 55a, 56a, open.

The timer plate 21 supports resistance units 70 and 70 which are insulated therefrom. As these units 70 and 70A are alike the description of unit 70a will suffice. The corresponding parts of unit 70 are designated Without the afix a. Unit 7 Oa includes a non-conducting spool 71a around which is placed a resistance wire 72a having one end connected with a plate 73a and the other with a plate 7 4a. rlPlates 73a and 7 4a are held in position upon the spool 71a by means of non-conducting members 7 5a and 7 6a which are retained in position by a sleeve 77, A screw 7 8a passing thro-ugh sleeve 77a secures the unit 70a upon the plate 21. strap 79a connects the plate 73a with the bracket 53EL and a strap 79 connect-s the plate 73 with the bracket 53. The plates 74 and 74a are connected with studs 8O and 8()a supported by the timer cup 20 but insulated therefrom,

Distributor head 81 is provided with an annular flange 82 tting over the timer `housing 20.` The head 81 is provided with o positely projecting ears 83 and 84 provide with holes 85 and 86 respectivelyT through which the studs v8'() and 80, respect1vely,pro ject. The head 81 is referably constructed of bakelite and providped with a rubber track 86 around which the bakelite` head has been molded. A plurality of metallic contacts 8i extend from the vtrack surface through the head 81 andterminate in threaded termlnals 88 arranged to be engaged by nuts 89 for the purpose of attaching thereto a high tension cable leading to the spark plug of an en ine. The head 81 is provided with a coil housing 90 formed concentrically with respect to the track 86. Within this housing 90 an ignition coil 91 is supported. Coil 91 `includes a core compri in a center bolt 92 and a bundle of ironr s 93. This core is surroundedl by the primary winding 94 and a secondary winding 95. These windings are artially encased within end bells 96 and 97 tlirough which the core members 92 and 93 reject.

eferring to Figs. 2 and 10, the end bell 97 is formed with a recess bounded on one side by a straight wall 98,A and withinthis recess are located a plurality of-end lamin 99. Obviously these lamin 99 cannot turn with respect to the end belll 97. The laminas 99 are provided with deep notches 100 for reducing loss from edd currents. The laminae 99 are rovided. wit centrall located key hole shapedv orifices throug which passes the center boltu92-having a portion thereof .conforming in cross section to the key hole shaped orifices in the laminae V- 99. This portion is designated `by numeral 101 and is located 'us't inside the head 102 of the center bolt 92. en in position, the center bolt 92 cannot be turned with relation to the laminas 99 and hence cannot be turned with relation to the end bell 97.

The end bell 97 is provided with lugs 103 and 104 which fit into notches 105 and 106,

respectively, provided within the head 81.

This interlocking arrangement prevents the end bell 97 from turning with respect to the head 81 when located in position. These lugs 103 and 104 are notched to permit the` passage therethrough of conductors 107 and 108, respectively.

' Conductor 107 connects of the rima windings 94 with the coil termina meml r 109. Wire-v 108 connects one end of primary winding 94 with the coil terminal 110. A nut 111 cooperates with a threaded portion ofthe stud and a spring 113 is interposed between the nut 111 and the term-inal 109. By screwing down the nut 111, the head 81 is maintained in position upon the timer housing 20 and an effective connection is made between the terminal 109 and the stud 80 and hence between the l and are vthe housing and the -clip 130 interposed the center portion terminal 109 and the resistance unit 70 and the make and break device 51.

A nut 112 cooperates with the stud 80, and a spring 114 is interposed between the terminal 110 and the nut 112. By screwin down the nut 112 the head 81 is maintaine in position upon the timer housing 20 and an effective electrical connection is made between the coil terminal 110 and the stud 80, and hence. between terminal 110 and resistance element 70* and make and break device 52.

The end bell 96 supports end lamin 116 constructed 'similarly to the laminae 99. These laminae 116 abut against the wires 93 provided with round holes through which the threaded end of the center bolt 92 projects. A cover plate 117 is supported upon the lamin 116` and` a nut 118 cooperates with bolt 92 to secure the coil assembly upon said bolt 92. B screwing down the nut 118 it is apparent that the end bells 9.6 and 97 and the laminae 116 will be clamped in position.`

Thecenter bolt 92 projects through the upper end of the coil housing 90 and into a recess 120 provided therein. A nut 121 cooperates with bolt 92. By screwing down the nut 121 the coil91 may be secured withi-n ears 103 and 104 of the end. bell 97 will be clamped in position within the recesses 105 and 106, respectively. A blind lnut 122 provided with a threaded portion 123 is screwed upon the bolt 92 and down againstA the nut 121 to lock the same in position. After nuts 121 and 122 are in position a quantity of non-conducting material 124 is poured into the recess 120 to make a water-proof joint where the bolt 92 projects through the housing 90. A nut 125 cooperates with the nut 122 to provide a-coil terminal. The other end, from that. described', of the primary winding 94 is connected with a etween thecover plate To'this clip 130 -is attached the grounded end 131 ofthe secondary vwindin The vother end of secondary wlnding 95is connected by wire 132, see Fig. 1, with la screw 131 which passes through a lflexible contact 132 and 117 and the nut 118.

through a coil housing cover 133 and into the end bell 97. maintaining the position upon the end bell 9 A rotor 140 is mounted upon the shaft 34 by means of a screw 141 and is driven from cam 50 by means of a locking stud-42 projecting into the rotor 140. A conductor 143 is in engagement with the flexible center contact 132 and with a brush144 which is yieldingly pressed by spring 145 against the track 86.

Other screws 134 assist in The plate 21 supports a condenser bracket 150 on the other side thereof by means of screws 151, and bracket 150 supports concoil housing7 cover1133 inv denser 152 which is grounded upon the bracket at one end and connected at the other end by means of wire 153 with the strap 7 9B.

The operation of the invention is as follows:

lin the regular order of events, as explained hereinbefore, contacts 55 and. 56

close first. Whenthis occurs current tiows from a battery 160 which is grounded at 161 and is connected with the terminal 125. The closing of contacts 55, 56 causes current to flow through the following circuit. Battery 160, terminal 125, nut 122, bolt 92, clip 130, a portion of primary winding 94, wire 107, terminal 109, spring 113, nut 111, stud 80, plate 74, resistance wire 72, plate 73, strap 79, contact 55, contact 56, breaker arm 57, spring 63, timer housing 20 to ground.

While contacts 55, 56 remain closed, contacts 55B, 56' will become closed. When this occurs a part of the current which passed through the upper half of primary winding 94, as viewed in Fig. 2, will now pass throu h the lower half of primary winding 94 an out through wire 108 to terminal 110. From terminal 110 the circuit will continue through spring 114, nut 112, stud 80a, plate 74, resistance wire 7 2a, plate 73a, strap 79a, bracket"53a contact 55a, contact 56, breaker lever 578, s ring 63a and housing 20 to ground. ile contacts 55, 56a remain closed, the contacts 55, 56 will open, then all of the current which then Hows through the first or upper half of primary winding 94, as viewed in Fig. 2, must flow through this last circuit just described. As described and claimed in the copending application of John H. Hunt referred to, the closing of contacts 55 and 56 causes current to build up relativelyrapidly in the ignition coil 91. The opening of contacts 55, 56, while contacts 55, 56a, remain closed, causes the current in the primary windings of the coil to be transformed to a lower value while the energy of the coil remains substantially the same. Then when contacts 55, 56a,- open, the amount of current to be interrupted by this opening will not be excessive.

Instead .of providing two resist-ances and 70a, fair results might be obtained by using one resistance between battery 160 and terminal l125.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described constitutes a lpreferred form of embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What we claim is as follows:

l. ln an ignition system, the combination with a current source and an ignition coil having al primary winding and a secondary winding; of circuits connecting the battery with dierent portions of the primary winding; and means for opening and closing said Leonesa circuits in recurrent sequence, said circuits havingv an overlapping closed period, said means including breaker levers each for controlling one of said circuits, and a single cam for operating said breaker levers.

2. ln an ignition system, the combination with a current sourceand an ignition coil having a primary winding and a secondary winding; of circuits connecting the battery with different portions of the primary winding; and means for opening and closing said circuits in recurrent sequence, said circuits having an overlapping closed period, said means including breaker levers each for controlling one ofsaid circuits, a single cam for camming said breaker levers into circuit making position, and spring means or restoring said breaker levers into circuit breaking position.

3. 1n an ignition unit, the combination with a timer housing; of a plurality of circuit make and break devices supported within said housing; an ignition coil support Aand an ignition coil supported thereby; a plurality of coil terminals supported by said coil support and connected with dierent portions of said coil; means for securing said coil support upon said timer housing, said means connecting certain of said terminals each with one of said make and break devices; and means for actuating said make and break devices.

4. In an ignition unit, the combination with a timer housing; of a plurality of pairs of timer contacts supported within said housing; a plurality of resista-nce elements supported within said housing, each being connected with one contact of each pair of contacts; an ignition coil support. and an ignition coil supported thereby; a plurality of coil terminals supported by said coil support, and connected with difi'erent portions of said coil; provisions for securing said coil support upon said timer housing and for connecting certain of said terminals each with one of said resistance elements; and means for actuating said pairs of timer contacts.

5. 1n an ignition distributor, the combination with a distributor head having an annular track carrying a circular row of contacts, and a coil housing located concentrically to -said row of contacts; ot a coil supported by said head within said coil housing; a cover for said coil housing supported by said coil; a center contact supported by said cover and connected to said coil; and a rotor contacting with said track and center contact.

6. ln an ignition system, the combination of a distributor head having a series of contacts and a recess adapted to receive an ignition coil; a coil supported by said head in said recess; a member closing one end ot the recess, said member being supported by momes the coil; a contact supported on the outer surface of said member; and a screw passing through said Contact into said member and electrically connecting the coil and contact.

7. ln an ignition unit, the combination with a timer housing; of a plurality ci pairs of timer contacts supported therein; a dis tributor head covering said timer housing; an ignition coil supported by said head; a plurality of coil terminals supported by said head, and connected with di'erent portions of said coil; provisions for securing said head upon said housing and for connecting certain of said terminals each with one of said pairs of contacts; a cam for actuating said pairs of contacts; and a distributor rotor.

In testimony whereof We hereto affix our signatures.

JUHN H. HUNT. WHAM A. CHRYST. Witnesses:

E. SOLLENBERGER, -U DALE Mlm. 

